Dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication including a label with a main body portion and a tamper evident portion. The boundary between the label main body portion and tamper evident portion is defined by a perforated score. The dispensing tube assembly includes a tube portion and a cap portion. The label is adhesively attached to the dispensing tube assembly such that the label surrounds portions of both the tube and the cap and such that the tamper evident portion covers a portion of the cap end. The label also optionally includes a tear-away portion to facilitate separation of the tamper evident portion from the main body portion.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to tamper indication for dispensing tube assemblies. In particular, the present invention relates to a dispensing tube assembly with a label having a tamper indicating portion.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication. The dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication includes an extruded plastic tube, a cap attachment head, a cap, an adhesive, and a label. The extruded plastic tube includes a side wall extending between an open tube end and a closed tube end to define an interior. The cap attachment head is sealed to the closed end of the tube and includes a flow channel. The cap has a cap body extending between an attachment end and a cap end. The attachment end is attached to the cap attachment head. The label surrounds at least a portion of the tube and a portion of the cap body. The adhesive attaches the label to at least a portion of the tube. The label has a main body portion and a tamper indicating portion. The boundary between the main body portion and the tamper indicating portion is defined by a score in the label. The label is attached such that the score is positioned to circumferentially surround a boundary defined by the interface between the tube and the cap body. Alternatively, the label is attached such that the score circumferentially surrounds a portion of the tube. The cap end is defined by a top surface. The label covers a portion of the top surface such that the portion of the label covering the cap body top surface conforms to and lies flat along the cap body top surface. Prior to attachment of the label to the tube assembly the adhesive is located on only the main body portion of the label such that the adhesive attaches the label to only those portions of the tube and cap body that are in contact with the label main body. Alternatively, the label has an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the label being coated with the adhesive. The tamper indicating portion of the label includes a tear-away portion defined by two scored lines extending perpendicular to the score in the label.

Another embodiment relates to a dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication. The dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication includes an extruded plastic tube, a cap attachment head, a cap, and a label. The extruded plastic tube includes a side wall extending from an open end to a closed end to define an interior. The cap attachment head is sealed to the closed end of the tube. The attachment head includes a first flow channel. The cap has an attachment portion having a second flow channel and a hinged cover having a top surface. The attachment portion is attached to the attachment head such that the first and second flow channels are oriented to permit the flow of material from the interior of the tube to the outside of the tube. The cover is moveable between a flow position and a no-flow position to prevent flow of material from the inside of the tube when the cover is in the no-flow position. The label has a main body portion and a tamper indicating portion. The boundary between the main body portion and the tamper indicating portion is defined by a score in the label. The label is adhesively attached to the tube such that the main body portion surrounds at least a portion of the tube and a portion of the cap attachment portion. The label score is perforated. The label is attached such that when the cover is in the no-flow position the perforated label score concentrically surrounds an interface defined between the cap attachment portion and the cap cover. The tamper indicating portion of the label covers a portion of the cap top surface. The tamper indicating portion of the label has a tear-away portion defined by two scored lines extending perpendicular to the score in the label.

Another embodiment relates to a dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication. The dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication includes an extruded plastic tube, a material, a cap attachment head, a cap, an adhesive; and a label. The extruded plastic tube includes a side wall extending between an open tube end and a closed tube end to define an interior. The material is located in the interior of the tube. The cap attachment head is sealed to the closed end of the tube. The attachment head includes a flow channel. The cap has a cap body extending between an open cap end and a closed cap end. The open cap end is configured for attachment to the cap attachment head. The label surrounds at least a portion of the tube and a portion of the cap body. The adhesive attaches the label to at least a portion of the tube. The label has a main body portion and a tamper indicating portion. The boundary between the main body portion and the tamper indicating portion is defined by a score in the label. The label is attached such that the score is positioned to circumferentially surround a boundary defined by the interface between the tube and the cap body. Alternatively, the label is attached such that the score circumferentially surrounds a portion of the tube. The closed cap end is defined by a top surface, wherein the label covers a portion of the top surface. Prior to attachment of the label to the tube assembly the adhesive is located on only the main body portion of the label such that the adhesive attaches the label to only those portions of the tube and cap that are in contact with the label main body. Alternatively, the label has an inner and an outer surface, the entirety of the inner surface of the label being in contact with the adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a tube and cap assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1B illustrates the unfilled, open-ended cylinder and the cap that form the tube and cap assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pressure sensitive label according to an exemplary embodiment prior to application of the label to the tube and cap assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are front perspective views of the tube and cap assembly of FIG. 1A during the application of the pressure sensitive label of FIG. 2 to the tube and cap assembly;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a filled tube and cap assembly including the pressure sensitive label of FIG. 3B;

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a process of removing the tamper-evident portion of the pressure-sensitive label from the tube and cap assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view of the layers of the pressure sensitive label of FIG. 2 taken along line 6-6;

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of a tube and cap assembly according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 7B illustrates the unfilled, open-ended cylinder and the cap which form the tube and cap assembly of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a front perspective view of the tube and cap assembly of 7A after a label has been applied and the tube has been filled and sealed;

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate the process of removing the tamper-evident portion of the pressure-sensitive label from the tube and cap assembly of FIG. 7C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of a tube and cap assembly 100. Referring to FIG. 1B, tube and cap assembly 100 includes an extruded, unfilled collapsible plastic cylinder 1 attached to a closure cap 13. The cylinder 1 has a side wall 3 and a cap attachment head 5 sealed to one end. The opposite end 7 of the cylinder 1 is open. The attachment head 5 has a flow channel 9 and a first securement portion 11, such as but not limited to threads, a snap ring, grooves, and the like for attachment of the cap 13 to the attachment head 5. The cylinder 1 may be formed from various thermoplastic materials, such as but not limited to, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride, and the like.

The cap 13 has a lower portion 15 and an upper portion 17. The lower portion 15 includes a second securement portion 19, such as threads, ridges, grooves, and the like that correspond to and mate with the first securement portion 11 on the attachment head 5 of the cylinder 1. The upper portion 17 of the cap 13 includes a closed end 14 having a top surface. The lower portion 15 and upper portion 17 of the cap 13 are connected by a flexible hinge 21. The lower portion 15 of the cap 13 has a dispensing orifice 25 which cooperates with flow channel 9 of the cylinder 1, and the upper portion 17 of the cap 13 has a plug or projecting fitment 29 which seals the dispensing orifice 25 when the two portions 15, 17 of the closure cap 13 are in closed position. When the cap is in the closed, no-flow, position the boundary between the lower portion 15 and upper portion 17 of the cap 13 is defined by a cap interface 16.

FIG. 2 shows a pressure sensitive label 30 prior to its attachment to the tube and cap assembly 100 of FIG. 1A. Label 30 has a main body portion 35 and a tamper evident portion 36. The interface between the main body portion 35 and the tamper evident portion 36 is defined by a label score 37 that extends along the main body portion 35 and tamper evident portion 36 interface from a first edge of the label 30 to a second edge of the label 30. The label score 37 may be perforated, and is configured to allow the tamper evident portion 36 to be separated from the main body portion 35.

Preferably, the label 30 also includes a tear-away portion 38 to facilitate separation of the tamper evident portion 36 from the main body portion 35. An exemplary embodiment of a tear-away portion 38 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes strip defined between two scored lines 39 a, 39 b in the tamper evident portion 36 that extend perpendicular to the label score 37. Alternative embodiments of the tear-away portion 38 may include a single scored line extending perpendicular to the label score 37 and/or a tab attached to the tamper evident portion 36.

Label 30 may include writings, drawings, or any other desired indicia 40. Such indicia 40 may be decorative and/or the indicia 40 may be used to indicate information about the tube and cap assembly 100 such as but not limited to tube contents, origin, manufacturer, indications for use, brand names or logos, instructions for use, and the like. The indicia 40 may extend along the entirety of the label 30. Alternatively, the indicia 40 may be limited to only portions of the label 30, such as but not limited to being limited to only the main body portion 35 or only the tamper evident portion 36.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the tube configuration during the process of attaching the label 30 to the tube and cap assembly 100. Referring to FIG. 3A, the label 30 is wrapped around the tube and cap assembly 100 such that the label 30 surrounds at least a portion of the cylinder 1 as well as the interface 16 between the cap 13 lower portion 15 and upper portion 17. An adhesive layer 30 b located on the tube and cap assembly 100 contacting side of the label 30 secures the label to the tube and cap assembly 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the label 30 is attached such that the label 30 also extends past the cap closed end 14. Because the label 30 serves as both a label and as a tamper indicator, preferably no other labelling or external tamper indicators are attached to the exterior of the tube and cap assembly 100 besides label 30.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, in an exemplary embodiment, the label 30 is wrapped around and attached to the tube and cap assembly 100 such that the label score 37 circumferentially overlays the interface 16 between the cap 13 lower portion 15 and upper portion 17. In alternative embodiments, the label 30 may be affixed such that the label score 37 circumferentially overlays the tube and cap assembly 100 at a location either along the cylinder 1 or along the cap 13.

Once the label 30 has been arranged about and adhesively attached to the tube and cap assembly 100, heat is applied to the tube and cap assembly 100 to heat-shrink the label 30 to at least the cap 13 portion of the tube and cap assembly 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, as a result of the heat treatment the portion of the label 30 extending past the cap closed end 14 is folded over and shrunk to conform to the cap 13 closed end 14 such that the label 30 lies flat along the top surface of the cap 13 closed end 14.

Following fixation of the label 30 to the tube and cap assembly 100 (as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B), the interior of the cylinder 1 is filled. The cylinder 1 may be filled with any desired contents, such as but not limited to, cosmetics, drugs, ointments, toothpaste, shampoo, food products, chemical compositions, and the like. Referring to FIG. 4, once the cylinder 1 has been filled with the desired contents, the open end 7 of the cylinder 1 is sealed, such as by plastic welding, to form a sealed closed end 7′.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate the tamper indication feature of the label-covered tube and cap assembly 100. Illustrated in FIG. 5A is a sealed, unopened label 30 covered tube and cap assembly 100 such as that in FIG. 4. The presence of the tamper evident portion 36 of the label 30 covering the interface 16 between the cap 13 lower portion 15 and upper portion 17 indicates to a user that the tube and cap assembly 100 has not been opened or tampered with. A tube and cap assembly 100 with a partially or completely removed tamper evident portion 36 covering the cap 13 interface 16 (such as seen in any of FIGS. 5B-5E) would indicate to the user that the tube and cap assembly 100 has been opened and/or tampered with.

A user wishing to open the unopened tube and cap assembly 100 of FIG. 5A would begin by removing the tear-away portion 38 as shown in FIG. 5B. Referring to FIG. 5C, with the tear-away portion 38 removed, the user would next detach the tamper evident portion 36 of the label 30 from the main body portion 35 of the label 30 along the label score 37.

Referring to FIG. 5D, the user would continue to detach the tamper evident portion 36 of the label 30 from the main body portion 35 until the entire tamper evident portion 36 was removed. Once the interface 16 between cap 13 lower portion 15 and the upper portion 17 was entirely uncovered (as seen in FIG. 5D), the contents of the tube and cap assembly 100 could be accessed by unhinging the cap 13 upper portion 17 from the lower portion 15 as seen in FIG. 5E.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the label 30. Prior to being attached to the tube and cap assembly 100 the label 30 includes three layers: an exterior surface layer 30 a, an adhesive layer 30 b, and a backing layer 30 c. The exterior surface layer 30 a label may include writings, drawings, or any other desired indicia 40. The adhesive layer 30 b includes an adhesive used to secure the label 30 to the tube and cap assembly 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer 30 b extends along both the main body portion 35 and the tamper evident portion 36 of the label 30. In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive layer 30 b extends only along the main body portion 35 of the label 30. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive layer 30 b may include a first adhesive portion extending along the main body portion 35 and a second adhesive portion extending along the tamper evident portion 36, with the adhesive strength of the first adhesive portion being stronger than the adhesive strength of the second adhesive portion.

Prior to attachment to the label 30 to the tube and cap assembly 100, the backing layer 30 c extends at least along those portions of the label 30 along which the adhesive layer 30 b extends. Once the label 30 is ready for attachment to the tube and cap assembly 100, the backing layer 30 c is removed so as to expose the adhesive layer 30 b.

Prior to application of the label 30 to the tube and cap assembly 100, the label 30 is preferably provided on a roll (not shown) consisting of multiple labels 30. During application, the roll of labels 30 is unwound, and individual labels 30 from the roll are wrapped about tube and cap assemblies 100 as the tube and cap assemblies 100 are spun about a mandrel assembly (not shown). While a label 30 is disposed upon the roll, the backing layer 30 c supports the label 30, preventing the adhesive layer 30 b of the label 30 from adhering to other labels 30 on the roll. During the application process, as the individual label 30 is being unwound from the roll of labels 30, the backing layer 30 c of the individual label 30 is simultaneously removed from the label 30 to expose the adhesive layer 30 b of the individual label 30. Once such an individual label 30 has been unrolled from the roll of labels 30 and its backing layer 30 c has been removed, the label 30 is then attached to the tube and cap assembly 100.

An alternative embodiment of a tube and cap assembly 200 to which a tamper-indicating label 230 can be applied is shown in FIG. 7A. As shown in FIG. 7B, similar to the embodiment FIG. 1A, tube and cap assembly 200 includes an extruded, unfilled collapsible plastic cylinder 201 and a closure cap 213. The cylinder 201 has a side wall 203 and a cap attachment head 205 sealed to one end. The opposite end 207 of the cylinder 201 is open. The attachment head 205 has a flow channel 209 and a first securement portion 211, such as but not limited to threads, a snap ring, grooves, and the like for attachment of the cap 213 to the attachment head 205. The cap 213 includes a second securement portion 219, such as threads, ridges, grooves, and the like that correspond to and mate with the first securement portion 211 on the attachment head 205 of the cylinder 201. The cap 213 also includes a closed end 214 having a top surface.

Referring to FIG. 7C, a label 230 having a main body portion 235 and a tamper evident portion 236, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, is wrapped around the tube and cap assembly 200 such that the label 230 surrounds at least a portion of the cylinder 201 as well as a portion of the cap 213. In an exemplary embodiment, the label 230 is attached such that the label 230 extends past the cap closed end 214.

With respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, preferably the label 230 is wrapped around and attached to the tube and cap assembly 200 such that the label score 237 circumferentially overlays the boundary 216 defined by the interface between the cap 213 and the cylinder 201. In alternative embodiments, the label 230 may be affixed such that the label score 237 circumferentially overlays the tube and cap assembly 200 at a location either along the cylinder 201 or along the cap 213.

Preferably, the label 230 also includes a tear-away portion 238 to facilitate separation of the tamper evident portion 236 from the main body portion 235. An exemplary embodiment of a tear-away portion 238 includes a strip defined between two scored lines 239 a, 239 b in the tamper evident portion 236 that extend perpendicular to the label score 237.

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate the tamper indication feature of the label 230 covered tube and cap assembly 200. Similar to the process described with respect to FIGS. 5A-5E above, a user wishing to open the unopened tube and cap assembly 200 of FIG. 8A would begin by removing the tear-away portion 238 as shown in FIG. 8B. Referring to FIG. 8C, with the tear-away portion 238 removed, the user would next detach the tamper evident portion 236 of the label 230 from the main body 235 of the label 230 along the label score 237. Referring to FIG. 8D, the user would continue to detach the tamper evident portion 236 of the label 230 from the main body portion 235 until the entire tamper evident portion 236 was removed. With the tamper evident portion 236 removed (as seen in FIG. 8D), the contents of the tube and cap assembly 200 are made accessible by disengaging the cap 213 second securement portion 219 from the tube 201 first securement portion 211 as seen in FIG. 8E.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including lengths, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication, comprising: an extruded plastic tube including a side wall extending between an open tube end and a closed tube end to define an interior; a cap attachment head sealed to the closed end, the attachment head including a flow channel; a cap having a cap body extending between an attachment end and a cap end, the attachment end being attached to the cap attachment head; an adhesive; and a label surrounding at least a portion of the tube and a portion of the cap body, the adhesive attaching the label to at least a portion of the tube.
 2. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 1, the label having a main body portion and a tamper indicating portion, wherein the boundary between the main body portion and the tamper indicating portion is defined by a score in the label.
 3. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 2, wherein the label is attached such that the score is positioned to circumferentially surround a boundary defined by the interface between the tube and the cap body.
 4. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 2, wherein the label is attached such that the score circumferentially surrounds a portion of the tube.
 5. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 1, the cap end defined by a top surface, wherein the label covers a portion of the top surface.
 6. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 5, wherein the label is applied to the cap body such that the portion of the label covering the cap body top surface conforms to and lies flat along the cap body top surface.
 7. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 2, wherein prior to attachment of the label to the tube assembly the adhesive is located on only the main body portion of the label such that the adhesive attaches the label to only those portions of the tube and cap body that are in contact with the label main body.
 8. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 1, the label having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the label being coated with the adhesive.
 9. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 2, the tamper indicating portion of the label having a tear-away portion defined by two scored lines extending perpendicular to the score in the label.
 10. A dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication, comprising: an extruded plastic tube including a side wall extending from an open end to a closed end to define an interior; a cap attachment head sealed to the tube closed end, the attachment head including a first flow channel; a cap having an attachment portion having a second flow channel and a hinged cover having a top surface, the attachment portion being attached to the attachment head such that the first and second flow channels are oriented to permit the flow of material from the interior of the tube to the outside of the tube, the cover being moveable between a flow position and a no-flow position to prevent flow of material from the inside of the tube when the cover is in the no-flow position; and a label having a main body portion and a tamper indicating portion, the boundary between the main body portion and the tamper indicating portion defined by a score in the label, the label adhesively attached to the tube such that the main body portion surrounds at least a portion of the tube and a portion of the cap attachment portion.
 11. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the label score is perforated, the label attached such that when the cover is in the no-flow position the perforated label score concentrically surrounds an interface defined between the cap attachment portion and the cap cover.
 12. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the tamper indicating portion of the label covers a portion of the cap top surface.
 13. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 10, the tamper indicating portion of the label having a tear-away portion defined by two scored lines extending perpendicular to the score in the label.
 14. A dispensing tube assembly with tamper indication, comprising: an extruded plastic tube including a side wall extending between an open tube end and a closed tube end to define an interior; a material located in the interior of the tube; a cap attachment head sealed to the closed end, the attachment head including a flow channel; a cap having a cap body extending between an open cap end and a closed cap end, the open cap end configured for attachment to the cap attachment head; an adhesive; and a label surrounding at least a portion of the tube and a portion of the cap body, the adhesive attaching the label to at least a portion of the tube.
 15. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 14, the label having a main body portion and a tamper indicating portion, wherein the boundary between the main body portion and the tamper indicating portion is defined by a score in the label.
 16. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 15, wherein the label is attached such that the score is positioned to circumferentially surround the a boundary defined by the interface between the tube and cap body.
 17. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 15, wherein the label is attached such that the score circumferentially surrounds a portion of the tube.
 18. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 14, the closed cap end defined by a top surface, wherein the label covers a portion of the top surface.
 19. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 15, wherein prior to attachment of the label to the tube assembly the adhesive is located on only the main body portion of the label such that the adhesive attaches the label to only those portions of the tube and cap that are in contact with the label main body.
 20. The dispensing tube assembly of claim 14, the label having an inner and an outer surface, the entirety of the inner surface of the label being in contact with the adhesive. 